U.S. patent application number 10/104618 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-25 for service van.
Invention is credited to Lapsley, Robert M..
Application Number | 20030178868 10/104618 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28040645 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030178868 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lapsley, Robert M. |
September 25, 2003 |
Service van
Abstract
A service van is provided including a service structure
manufactured in two distinct sections. A first section of welded
steel construction includes multiple storage compartments. The
welded steel storage compartments at least partially support a cap
structure which encloses the service structure and includes two
non-metallic side panels and a front panel.
Inventors: |
Lapsley, Robert M.;
(Sagamore Hills, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CALFEE HALTER & GRISWOLD, LLP
800 SUPERIOR AVENUE
SUITE 1400
CLEVELAND
OH
44114
US
|
Family ID: |
28040645 |
Appl. No.: |
10/104618 |
Filed: |
March 22, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/24.44 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60P 3/14 20130101; B62D
33/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
296/24.1 |
International
Class: |
B60P 003/00 |
Claims
1. A van comprising: a cab; a service structure rearwards of said
cab, said service structure including: two steel side storage
structures spaced apart and having substantially planar top
surfaces, said storage structures including multiple welded steel
compartments; a floor panel between said side storage structures; a
cap structure at least partially supported by said storage
structures, said cap structure including: two non-metallic side
panels; and a roof supported by said side panels.
2. The van of claim 1 wherein said roof is translucent.
3. The van of claim 1 wherein said roof is made from aluminum.
4. The van of claim 1 further including two shelves supported by
said storage structures.
5. The van of claim 1 wherein said side panels are comprised of
fiberglass reinforced plywood.
6. The van of claim 1 wherein said side panels are supported
respectively by said side storage structures of said service
structure.
7. The van of claim 6 wherein said side storage structures include
flanges attached to said substantially planar top surfaces and said
side panels are glued to said flanges.
8. The van of claim 7 wherein each of said planer top surfaces of
said storage structures includes an exterior edge and at least one
of said flanges is attached along said exterior edges causing an
exterior surface of each side panel to be substantially co-planar
with an exterior surface of each storage structure.
9. The van of claim 1 wherein said cap structure further includes a
front panel adjacent said cab and extending between said two side
panels and said storage structures.
10. The van of claim 9 wherein said front panel includes an door
providing access to said cab.
11. The van of claim 1 wherein said floor panel is comprised of
fiberglass reinforced plywood.
12. The van of claim 1 wherein each side storage structure includes
a first, a second, a third and a fourth compartment and a fender
panel including an indentation providing clearance for a rear axle
of the van.
13. The van of claim 12 wherein said first compartment is nearest
said cab and has a rectangular shape with height exceeding width,
said second compartment is adjacent and rearward of said first
compartment and has a rectangular shape with height exceeding
width, said third compartment is adjacent and rearward of said
second compartment and has a rectangular shape with width exceeding
height and said fourth compartment is adjacent and rearward of said
third compartment and is rectangular in shape with height exceeding
width.
14. The van of claim 1 wherein each side storage structure includes
a first, a second, a third, a fourth and a fifth compartment and a
fender panel including an indentation providing clearance for a
rear axle of the van.
15. The van of claim 1 wherein each side structure further includes
a fender panel.
16. A van comprising: a cab; a service structure rearwards of said
cab, said service structure including: two side storage structures
spaced apart and having substantially planar top surfaces, said
storage structures including multiple welded steel compartments,
fender panels and flanges upon said storage structures; a floor
panel between said side storage structures; a cap structure
supported at least partially by said storage structures said cap
structure including: two side panels glued to said flanges; a roof
supported by said side panels; and a front panel attached to said
side panels and said roof, said front panel including an access
door to said cab.
17. The van of claim 16 wherein said steel compartments are welded
to said fender panel.
18. The van of claim 16 wherein said flanges are oriented along
exterior sides of said storage structures.
19. A method of fabricating a van comprising the steps of:
providing a chassis, cab, engine and drive system; providing
multiple storage structures and mounting said storage structures
upon said chassis; fabricating a cap structure partially atop said
storage structures, said cap structure including two side panels
made from fiber reinforced plywood, a front panel made from fiber
reinforced plywood and a roof.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein said cap structure is attached
to said storage structures using glue.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention related to service vans, more particularly to
vans having van bodies including welded steel compartments.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is common practice in the truck body industry to produce
service van vehicles which are different from the standard models
offered by large auto makers, in order to meet the particular needs
of customers. This production process typically involves the
supply, by a customer, of a truck assembly (cab, engine, chassis,
drive system) less any structure upon the rear portion of the truck
chassis to a van producer. Truck assemblies are originally obtained
from large truck manufacturers such as Ford, General Motors, etc. A
van body, supported by the chassis, is then added to meet customer
requirements. Parameters determined by the van producer include
overall size, rear door placement and size, and inclusion of
additional accessories. Additional accessories include additional
doors upon the sides of the van body and, most commonly, shelved
compartments.
[0003] Although customized layout and construction of compartments
for individual customers may be performed by the van producer, more
commonly a customer chooses from a small number of common
configurations. These configurations either maximize the use of
surface area upon the exterior of the van body or have a desirable
aesthetic appearance or both.
[0004] Within the industry van bodies are manufactured from
fiberglass reinforced plywood sidewalls and aluminum sheet and post
materials. Compartment fabrication methods have been limited to
cutting and removal of part of the existing sidewall and the manual
fabrication of compartment bodies and shelving within the interior
of the van which aligns with the cutout. A drawback to this method
is that fiberglass reinforced plywood is an expensive material,
much of which is being discarded during the fabrication process.
Further, there are a limited number of methods of attaching doors
and compartment covers to the sidewalls.
[0005] A service body is known structure commonly installed upon a
truck chassis. A service body includes a section including
compartments, a floor section therebetween, and is formed from
steel using welded joints. Welded construction provides stability
and durability. Existing service bodies have drawbacks. Only the
compartments are enclosed and as a result any materials stored on
the floor section, outside of the compartments are exposed to
conditions inherent with vehicle travel and parking. The height and
overall size of the service body is also limited in order to keep
the additional weight added to the vehicle at a minimum. As a
result, work areas, especially those which are enclosed are minimal
or non-existent. What is desired is a vehicle having a work area
which is lightweight, structurally sound and provides a large
enclosed space.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention overcomes disadvantages in the prior
art by providing an improved service van. The invention provides in
one aspect a service van with a cab and includes a service
structure. The service structure includes two welded steel storage
structures providing structural properties of strength, rigidity
and durability. The storage structures include compartments and a
fender panel, wherein the storage structures have substantially
planar top surfaces for supporting a cap structure. The
compartments and fender panel are welded together. The cap
structure includes two side panels formed of lightweight fiberglass
reinforced plywood and a lightweight roof. The storage structures
and cap structure are bonded together using glue. In another aspect
of the invention, the cap structure includes a front panel with an
access door leading to the cab of the service van.
[0007] The structure of the present invention provides a
significant advantage in cost of manufacture. FRP, which is a
costly material, is partially replaced with welded steel structures
which are less costly. Along with cost savings, the use of welded
steel construction for the storage structures of the van body
provides structural integrity. By using a combination of steel and
FRP, the structural benefits of steel are realized, where required,
and the lightweight advantages of FRP are realized within the van
body enclosure. These and other aspects of the invention are herein
described in particularized detail with reference to the
accompanying Figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0008] FIG. 1 is a side view of a service van of the present
invention;
[0009] FIG. 1(a) is a rear view of a service van of the present
invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a service van of the present
invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the van
of the present invention including four compartments;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the van
of the present invention including five compartments;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a section view of a joint between a side panel and
front panel;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the inside of the service
structure of the service van;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a joint between the side
storage structure and cap structure; and
[0016] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the inside of the service
structure of the service van.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 1a illustrate a
preferred van 20 according to the invention. The van 20, as
described in more detail below, comprises a service structure 30,
an engine 22, chassis 24, drive system 26 and a cab 28. The service
structure 30 comprises storage structures 42 in combination with a
cap structure 80 and a floor panel 44.
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1, 1a and 2 the service structure 30 is
located rearward of the cab 28 on the van 20 and is supported by
the chassis 24 of the van. The service structure 30 may include two
side storage structures 42 which are spaced apart and a floor panel
44 between the side structures 42. The floor panel 44 may be made
of steel or of another material such as fiberglass reinforced
plywood (FRP). The floor panel 44 may be made skidproof by covering
it with a non-skid surface. The floor panel 44 is placed on top of
a steel substructure that is welded between the side storage
structures 42. The storage structures 42 may be rectangular shaped
assemblies including an indentation 46 or "wheel well" in the
position above the rear axle of the van. The storage structures 42
may be constructed of welded steel. The storage structures 42 may
include one or more storage compartments 48 or doors which allow
access to the interior of the service structure 30.
[0019] The storage compartments 48 may be oriented along the length
of the storage structures 42 extending from the front of the
service structure 30 to the rear. The storage compartments 48 may
have access openings on the exterior surface 43 of the storage
structure 42 and extend inwards towards a centerline CL (shown
extending from the front to the rear of the van). Alternatively, if
there is merely an access door in a certain position there is no
structure extending towards the centerline (not shown). Each
storage compartment 48 may include shelving of a type known in the
art. The depth of the compartments 48 may be less than the distance
to the centerline of the van, thus, leaving a partially open space
above the floor panel. The compartments 48 may be shaped
rectangularly and maximize the use of space on the exterior surface
43 of the storage structure 42. As shown in FIG. 3, an embodiment
of the invention is shown in which each storage structure 42
includes four storage compartments (48a, 48b, 48c 48d). The first
compartment 48a is nearest the cab 28 and has a rectangular shape
with height exceeding width, the second compartment 48b is adjacent
and rearward of the first compartment 48a and has a rectangular
shape with height exceeding width, and the third compartment 48c is
adjacent and rearward of the second compartment 48b and has a
rectangular shape with width exceeding height. The third
compartment 46c is located above the wheelwell indentation 46 in
the storage structure 42, thus, maximizing the use of available
space. The area around the wheelwell indentation is referred to as
the fender panel 50. The fender panel 50 may be welded to the
surrounding compartments in order to give structural properties of
strength durability and rigidity to the service body. The fourth
compartment 48d is adjacent and rearward of the third compartment
48c and is rectangular in shape with height exceeding width. In
this embodiment, the service structure 30 has a length of about ten
(10) feet. In another embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 4
the service structure 30 has a length of about twelve (12) feet and
includes a fifth compartment 48e rearwards of the fourth
compartment 48d. The fifth compartment 48e is rectangular in shape
with height exceeding width.
[0020] Referring back to FIGS. 1, 1(a) and 6, 7 and 8 each side
storage structure 42 may include a substantially planar top surface
52. The top surface 52 facilitates support of the cap structure 80
located above the storage structure 42. Flanges 54a, 54b may be
attached to the top surface 52 which allow a superior joint to be
formed between the storage structure 42 and the cap structure 80.
The flange 54a may be oriented along the exterior edge 53 of the
storage structures 42. Flange 54a may be welded to the top surface
52 of the storage structures 42. Flange 54b may be riveted to the
top of storage structure 42. Flange 54b is placed on the inside of
Flange 54a, creating a gap to hold the side panels 82. As shown in
FIG. 8, the storage structures 42 also support shelving 58 which is
not part of any compartment 48. Posts 60 are affixed to the
interior edge 59 of the storage structure 42 and extend upwardly
therefrom. The shelves are supported by the posts 60.
[0021] The service structure 30 may also include a step bumper 62,
tail lights and other lighting 64 known in the art to be used on
vans and hinges and closures of a type known in the art upon the
compartments.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1, 1a and 8, the cap structure 80 may be
supported at least partially by the side storage structures 42 and
may have a box shape which encloses the area between the side
storage structures 42. The cap structure 80 provides an enclosed
area in the service structure 30 for additional storage or for use
as a workspace. The cap structure 80 may include two side panels
82, a front panel 84, and a roof 86. As noted above, the side
panels 82 are supported by the planar top surfaces 52 of the side
storage structures 42. Each side panel 82 may be made from FRP or
Aluminum Sheet and Post. The side panels 82 are rectangular, extend
vertically and attach to the roof 86. In combination, the storage
structures 42 and side panels 82 combined have a height of about
seventy-two (72) inches. In another embodiment of the invention the
combined height is about seventy-eight (78) inches. This provides
room for an individual to stand and perform tasks within an
enclosed area. This large enclosed area is provided without
creating an overly heavy structure by using combined steel/FRP
construction. Each side panel 82 may be glued to the flanges 54a
and 54b upon the planar top surface 52 of the side storage
structure 42. Glue types which may be used include sikoflex 221
polyurethane sealant glue. The exterior surfaces 83 of the side
panels 82 and side storage structures 43 may be substantially
coplanar with each other when the side panels 82 are glued in
place. Because the storage structures 42 make up a significant
portion of the exterior surface of the side of the van, the side
panels 82 may be smaller than that of prior art vans. This results
in a cost savings in FRP used to construct the side panels.
[0023] The front panel 84 acts as part of the service structure 30
enclosure adjacent to the cab 28 of the van 20. Similar to the side
panels 82, the front panel 84 may be made from FRP. The front panel
84 may extend between the side storage structures 42 and is
attached on either side to the side panels 82 and at the top to the
roof 86. As shown in FIG. 5, an aluminum corner piece 96, known in
the art, can be used to make this connection. The front panel 84
may include a door 88 which allows access to the cab 28 of the van
20 as shown in FIG. 8. Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 1a, the roof
86 is supported in combination by the side panels 82 and the front
panel 84. The roof 86 may be formed from lightweight materials
including one or more of the following: aluminum, translucent
plastic and light steel cross supports. Doors 90, of a type well
known in the art are used to enclose the back side of the van body
30.
[0024] The van 20 also includes a cab 28, engine 22, chassis 24 and
drive system 26 (transmission, driveshaft, axles, wheels). These
components may be purchased as an assembly from an automaker.
[0025] Although the invention has been shown and described with
reference to certain preferred and alternate embodiments, the
invention is not limited to these specific embodiments. Minor
variations and insubstantial differences in the various
combinations of materials and methods of application may occur to
those of ordinary skill in the art while remaining within the scope
of the invention as claimed and equivalents.
* * * * *